Testing | Letters from Mike

While imprisoned for his faith, Mike continues to send ncBc letters of encouragement. Another letter from June 2016 is included here. The topic is “the testing of our faith.”

c. June 27, 2016 | Oregon State Penitentiary

Dearly Beloved

May you continue to be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding …

Everyone of us has to bear the burden of suffering ordained for us by God, and that will involve a challenge that will appear at first to be beyond our capacity to endure.

The testing of our faith moves us beyond the limits of what we thought possible — inner torments, storms of doubt, and moments of despair are the most direct paths to God.

A faith that can be destroyed by suffering is not really faith — but don’t expect too many bright spots while walking in the shadow of the valley of death.

Not knowing the duration of the trial is, or will be, the most difficult challenge we will face — natural reason will be the greatest enemy as it seeks to constantly falsify faith.

I see my cell as a divine studio where the Great Sculptor is chipping off the superfluous stone and shaping me for a greater future — now I am merely a slab of stone until it reaches its definitive shape.

The clay molded by the potter into a vessel will be primarily valued for its empty space — it must then be thoroughly cleansed before it can be filled for its intended use.

It is the depth of the root system that makes for solid growth that will be able to withstand the most terrible of storms — the coming persecution will uproot the shallow churches and will blow away the chaff.

How to link to Testing | Letters from MikeLink or share only the permanent post URL (direct resource links expire and change).
Use: http://bcresources.net/app/letters-20160627-mike/

Citation (items to consider; form will vary):ncBc: Mike Sperou and Kevin Mitchell, ed. "Testing | Letters from Mike." PDF resource published by North Clackamas Bible Community and available online at BcResources.net. Last modified July 2, 2016. http://bcresources.net/app/letters-20160627-mike/.

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